Emily Shane’s alleged killer appears in court
The suspect in the April 3 death of 13-year-old Malibu resident Emily Shane appeared at the Airport Court on Friday. The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct. 21.
Sina Khankhanian, 26, of Winnetka, is charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty. Shane was walking home from a friend’s house along the 29000 block of Pacific Coast Highway near Heathercliff Road when Khankhanian, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer, hit her, investigators say.
Russian yacht spotted again in Malibu
The $300 million yacht belonging to Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko that turned thousands of heads when it visited the Malibu waters a couple weeks ago was back on Tuesday. No word on why Melnichenko decided to return to Malibu with his ship, which is named “A.” Once again, the yacht was the subject of much discussion among Malibu residents and visitors.
School district Equity Fund discussion delayed
The Board of Education was expected to talk about distribution of money from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s Equity Fund at its Wednesday meeting, but the item has been moved to the Sept. 23 agenda. An SMMUSD official said this was because not all board members will be able to attend this week’s meeting.
The SMMUSD’s Gift Policy requires 15 percent of most monetary donations and the value of gifts given to individual schools be pooled together into the Equity Fund. Money from the fund is allocated to schools on a weighted formula.
At a board meeting last month, members noted that certain schools are receiving significantly more money through PTA fundraising than others. Also, they accused PTAs of not reporting all the money and gifts received as a way to avoid fully contributing to the Equity Fund.
Malibu Inn seeks permit for liquor and live music
The Planning Commission on Tuesday will consider a request by the owner of the Malibu Inn to allow for liquor service and live entertainment.
The popular Pacific Coast Highway hangout reopened last summer under new ownership, but It has only been allowed to serve breakfast and lunch. City staff has recommended the Malibu Inn be granted a conditional-use permit for live entertainment, selling of liquor and to operate from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. The recommendation calls for a maximum of 94 restaurant seats and to allow 340 patrons for entertainment events.
The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
SM Mountains wildfire plan available for public comment
The Santa Monica Mountains Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is open for public comment through Sept 15. The final draft of the plan is available at www.forevergreenforestry.com. Comments should be e-mailed to santamonicamountainscwpp@gmail.com or sent to the attention of Deputy Forester J. Lopez at the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s Forestry Division, Fire Plan Unit 12605 Osborne Street, Pacoima, CA 91331.
Art class for seniors
A free creative art class is available for seniors through the Emeritus Santa Monica College program in Point Dume. It will begin Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. with local artist Lee O’Keefe. Call 310.434.4306 or emeritus@smc.edu to enroll.